Emergency vehicle accessory

ABSTRACT

An emergency vehicle control system with functional warning units for use in an emergency vehicle provide active visual and audible alerts. The functional warning unit includes a set of alert devices, each alert device having at least one functional connection and a remote controller, connected to the set of alert devices and configured to receive an encoded message on a single data line from a central controller. The remote controller is configured to decode the encoded message to a set of desired states for each of the set of alert devices. The remote controller is configured to control the set of alert devices, by way of the at least one functional connection, according to the respective desired state of each of the set of alert devices.

CROSS-REFERENCE

This application claims priority to Provisional Patent Application No.61/968,028, filed Mar. 20, 2014, and is Continuation in part of U.S.application Ser. No. 14/299,261, filed Jun. 9, 2014, which claims thebenefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. filed Jun. 7, 2013all of which are incorporated by reference in their entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention generally relates to an emergency vehicle control systemand accessories with a simple connection providing power and data input.

BACKGROUND

One of the primary functions of an emergency vehicle's signaling systemis to draw the attention of other motorists and pedestrians, effectivelywarning them of the presence of the emergency vehicle. Accomplishingthis function provides safety to the emergency vehicle, other motorists,and pedestrians. Integrated wiring harnesses and control systems havebeen used for emergency vehicle signaling. Some examples of these typesof control systems are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,422,623, 5,703,411,and 5,736,925 functional warning units

Bader et al. U.S. Pat. No. 5,422,623 discloses an emergency signalingsystem for a vehicle that includes one or more signaling devices such asan emergency light located on a lightbar and a housing to enclose afirst control unit necessary for delivering power to the signalingdevice. A second control unit remote from the first is electricallycoupled to the electronics in the housing and stores and controls thesignal patterns for the signaling devices. The control units areconnected via a bus. Separate cabling from a battery carries power andreference ground wires to each of the control units.

Bella et al. U.S. Pat. No. 5,703,411 discloses a wiring harness andcontrol system for emergency vehicle functional warning units directedat easy and quick installation into emergency vehicles. A control unit,mounted on the underside of the rear deck of the vehicle, couples to auser-controlled console. Branches of a wiring harness connected to thecontrol unit are routed to the lightbar, the headlights, warning lightsand grille light. The control unit contains a load shedder circuit thatdistributes fused power to the lighting system elements.

Dawson et al. U.S. Pat. No. 5,736,925 discloses a modular lightingcontrol system for vehicle lighting control directed at an emergencyvehicle such as an ambulance. A central processor processes commandsfrom a user-controlled interface to route power to each of the signalingdevices under the control of the central processor. The signalingdevices are modular in that they may be selectively coupled to thecentral processor for a custom installation where the selective couplingrequires a wiring harness to connect each signaling device to thecentral processor.

Emergency vehicle accessories can include customized devices forspecific functions or purpose. The emergency vehicle accessories may berequired for certain classes of emergency vehicle or for use in responseto specific types of events. For example, a push bumper is attached toan emergency vehicle to protect the vehicle while providing a strong,sturdy bumper capable of pushing other vehicles or objects withvehicular force. This function is necessary in moving disabled vehicles,striking other vehicles or objects, or to clear an object in anemergency situation. Mounting lights or other active visual and audibledevices on a push bumper can lead to unorganized or large amounts ofconnective wiring hanging within the system or undercarriage of thevehicle that can add a significant amount of weight to the vehicle withboth added wiring and harnesses.

Setina et al. U.S. Pat. No. 6,113,164 discloses an auxiliary push bumperwith mountable front or side lights. One embodiment is an auxiliarybumper apparatus for a police motor vehicle with a pair of side lightsfor transmitting light beams outwardly from opposite sides of thevehicle. The lights may also be mounted in openings in the center bumperfor transmitting light beams from the front of the vehicle. The lightsare generally used for improved road illumination.

Tobin et al. U.S. Pat. No. 8,204,245 discloses a vehicle bumper capableof sound projection through the use of a horn comprising a diver, acone, and a speaker. The bumper comprises a plurality of uprights and atleast one generally horizontal member. The bumper further comprises ahorn for emitting sound and wiring to connect the bumper device to thevehicle's electric system.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect, the invention relates to an emergency vehicle controlsystem for use in an emergency vehicle. The emergency vehicle controlsystem comprises at least one functional warning unit adapted to bemounted in the emergency vehicle, each functional warning unit having analert device, connector and a remote controller configured to control adesired state of the respective alert device; a central controllerconfigured to sense a state of the vehicle and generate a desired stateof the functional warning units based at least partially on the sensedstate of the vehicle and encode the desired state into an encodedpacket; and a functional connection between the central controller andthe at least one functional warning unit and configured to transmit theencoded packet from the central controller to each of the at least onefunctional warning unit. The remote controller is configured to parsethe desired state of the respective functional alert device in theencoded packet and set the state of the respective functional alertdevice based on the parsed encoded packet.

In another aspect, the invention relates to a functional warning unit.The functional warning unit comprises a set of alert devices, each alertdevice having at least one functional connection; and a remotecontroller, connected to the set of alert devices and configured toreceive an encoded message on a single data line from a centralcontroller, and configured to decode the encoded message to a set ofdesired states for each of the set of alert devices. The remotecontroller is configured to control the set of alert devices, by way ofthe at least one functional connection, according to the respectivedesired state of each of the set of alert devices.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an emergency vehicle with emergencyvehicle accessories attached thereon.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a bumper unit showing a system ofinternal wiring and external connector used for an emergency vehicleaccessory.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged view from behind the bumper of FIG. 2 with a3-wire connection leaving the emergency vehicle accessory.

FIG. 4 is a top, transparent view of an emergency vehicle showing theemergency vehicle accessories electrically connected to a modularnetworked control system.

FIG. 5 is a schematic representation of the modular networked controlsystem in communication with an emergency vehicle accessory.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing communication between a central controllerand remote controllers for setting the state of the emergency vehicleaccessories.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the network communication system betweenthe central controller and the accessory control unit according to anembodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring now to the drawings and to FIG. 1 in particular, a perspectiveview of an emergency vehicle 10 with a bumper accessory 12 mounted tothe front of the vehicle is shown. The emergency vehicle 10 may be anyvehicle used for public or private emergency response or action and maybe any vehicle type, make, or model. The emergency vehicle 10, inaddition to the standard elements of a typical vehicle, may includeaccessories (referred to equivalently, and without limitation, as“functional warning units”) such as a bumper accessory 12, fender light13, lights 14, running light 15, headlights 26, tail lights 28, alightbar 30, spotlights 32, side-view-mirror lights 34, fog lights 36, asiren, a horn, speakers 11, strobes, directional lights, or perimeterlights or combinations thereof. The lights 14 may be any device thatilluminates, lights up, blinks, flashes, strobes, brightens, or dims.Other functional warning units may be included depending on theparticular emergency vehicle 10.

An emergency vehicle 10 should provide active visual and audiblewarnings to attract the attention of other motorists and pedestrians asthe parties may enter the vicinity of one another. The bumper accessory12 protects the emergency vehicle 10 and operates as a means forapplying vehicular force while simultaneously alerting other motoristsand pedestrians.

To provide such alerts, a functional warning unit, such as the bumperaccessory 12 may include a set of alert devices that provide visual oraudible alerts, the set of alert devices include, but are not limitedto, lights, lightbars, sirens, horns, speakers, strobes, headlights,taillights, directional lighting, and spotlights. Other active visualand audible alert devices may be integrated into a functional warningunit depending on the specific requirements of the particular emergencyvehicle 10. For example, alert devices can include public addresssystems, air horns, load lights, etc.

A functional warning unit is attachable or mountable to the emergencyvehicle 10. For example, the bumper accessory 12 can be attached bybracket assembly or be mechanically fastened directly to the frame orbumper of an emergency vehicle 10. Mechanical fasteners can include, butare not limited to, bolts, clamps, pins, or threaded fasteners such asscrews. In other embodiments, a functional warning unit can be mountedon the front, rear, corners, frame, sides, top, or undercarriage of theemergency vehicle 10 or any combination thereof as necessary dependingon the particular emergency vehicle 10.

The bumper accessory 12 is easily connectable to the emergency vehicle10, preferably by a single plug-in connection that includes a serialdata wire into the electronic vehicle (EV) system. The single, plug-inconnection provides a source of power as well as a data connection (viathe serial data wire) for communicating with the bumper accessory 12 andoperating the set of active visual and audible alert devices.

Police officers and other emergency vehicle operators can exit thevehicle for tasks such as traffic direction, crowd control, or emergencyservices while the emergency vehicle 10 remains parked in a particularlocation. Accordingly, an accessory such as a bumper accessory 12 can beoperable from outside of the vehicle 10. For example, an officer canoperate, control or otherwise trigger events or features of the bumperaccessory 12 by interfacing with controls provided on a handheld wiredmicrophone (not shown) commonly provided in an emergency vehicle.Alternatively, a wireless remote (not shown) dedicated to the operationof the features of the bumper accessory may provide an officer with awireless controller. It is contemplated that the wireless remote may bea bespoke electronic device or a mobile device such as a cellular phoneor tablet provided by way of an application for the control of theoperation of the bumper accessory 12. Additionally, the bumper accessory12 can include an externally mounted switch, antenna, plug or buttonpanel 20 for quick activation from outside of the emergency vehicle 10.In other embodiments, the switch, antenna, plug or button panel 20 canbe mounted on or built anywhere into the bumper accessory 12. Theswitch, antenna, plug or button panel 20 can include an interface forselecting options for different active visual and audible warnings basedupon the state of the emergency vehicle 10. For example, one selectableoption can exclude audible warnings while another selectable option canincrease the rate or intensity of the visual warnings.

Referring now to FIG. 2, the bumper accessory 12 is generally composedof one or more vertical members 42 attached to one or more horizontalmembers 40. The horizontal members 40 and the vertical members 42 arepreferably made of strong, yet lightweight material capable ofprotecting the vehicle while adding minimal weight to the carriage,preferably an aluminum alloy. The bumper accessory 12 may be comprisedof any number of horizontal, vertical, diagonal, or curved members orany other type or combination thereof. In a preferred embodiment, twovertical members 42 are connected by two horizontal members 40 fixedbetween said vertical members 42.

As shown, the upper horizontal member 40 may include the mountedattachment of two lights 14, though other embodiments may include moreor less lights depending upon the implementation. Similarly, eachvertical member 42 may include lights 14 attached to outer surfaces fortransmitting light beams outwardly from opposite sides of the vehicle.Each horizontal member 40, vertical member 42, or any other memberscomprising a bumper accessory 12 may contain any number of lights 14 orany other active visual or audible device or devices attached to ormounted on any surface of said members.

Active visual and audible alert devices which may be attached to thebumper accessory 12 include, but are not limited to, lights 14, alightbar, a siren, a horn, speakers 11, strobes, directional lighting,spotlights, or perimeter lighting or combinations thereof. Onenon-limiting example includes a siren mounted on or within the bumperand connected to the speakers 11. Numerous different bumper accessoryembodiments are possible depending on the accessories or active visualor audible devices attached to the bumper accessory 12. The patterns orimages generated may change based upon the particular emergency vehicle,its accessories, or the active visual and audible alert devices attachedto the bumper accessory 12. The patterns or images may include but arenot limited to arrows, symbols, or reverse characters or a revolving,oscillating, strobe, alternating, flashing, modulated, or pulsatinglight signal as well as any combination thereof.

The horizontal members 40 and vertical members 42 or any memberscomprising a bumper accessory 12 may be hollow, creating an inner cavityto allow for wiring connections within the bumper accessory 12. In otherembodiments, some members may be hollow while others may not. The bumperaccessory 12 may contain a system for connecting additional members,extending the area of protection covered by the bumper accessory 12.

A switch, antenna, plug, or button panel 20 is shown attached to the topof a horizontal member for operation outside of the emergency vehicle 10though the element may include one or more externally mounted switches,antennas, plugs or button panels 20. The bumper accessory 12 may containa mounting system 46 for attaching a bracket assembly to mount to avehicle.

An internal wiring system 38 is shown connecting each light 14 to anaccessory control unit 18. The internal wiring system 38 may consist ofa wire system that may include three wired connections: a power input31, a ground wire 33, and a network connection wire 35, preferablyenclosed in a connection cable 37 for an organized system of wiring.Other wiring configurations are contemplated depending upon theimplementation. For example, while shown with a single-ended signalingsystem for the network connection wire 35, the network connection mayinclude two wires for differential signaling. Other signaling schemesand power distribution systems may be implemented that require more orless wires without loss of generality.

The accessory control unit 18 is a remote controller for connecting theactive visual and audible devices on a functional warning unit such asthe bumper accessory 12 to, preferably, an EV system. The accessorycontrol unit 18 is responsible for receiving, interpreting, and sendingdata messages within a network of the emergency vehicle 10. Theaccessory control unit 18 uses those data messages to set the state ofthe active visual and audible devices mounted on the bumper accessory12. The state may include on or off designations, flash designationsresulting in specific patterns, or any other designation. Depending onthe active visual and audible devices installed, numerous differentstates, patterns, and designations are possible. The accessory controlunit 18 can receive inputs from switches 20 or other sensors configuredto sense the state of the vehicle and transmit data messagesrepresentative of the inputs back to a central controller located on thevehicle

The active visual and audible devices connect by internal wiring system38, to an EV system of the emergency vehicle, through the accessorycontrol unit by a set of wires that may include three or four wires asdescribed above. As shown, a power input wire 31, a ground wire 33, anda network connection wire 35 may comprise the connection cable 37. Theconnection cable 37, enables a single, “plug and play” connection toinstall the bumper accessory 12 into the emergency vehicle's powerdistribution and network system, referred to herein as the EV system.The connection can be made at a central control head located proximatethe accessory installed into the EV system to allow for a single,plug-in connection from multiple emergency vehicle accessories or remotecontrol devices.

Referring now to FIG. 3, an exploded view of a horizontal member 40 andvertical member 42 connection from behind the bumper accessory 12 isshown.

The accessory control unit 18 is installed in a hollow horizontal member40 and the internal wiring system 38 is shown running through a hollowvertical member 42 connecting to the accessory control unit 18. Inanother embodiment, each set of wires in the internal wiring system 38,connecting to an individual active visual or audible device, may beenclosed by a connection cable 37 as shown outside of the bumperaccessory 12. The accessory control unit 18 may be securely mounted tothe outside of the bumper accessory 12 or be installed in any hollowarea within the bumper accessory 12.

The bumper accessory 12 may be mounted on an emergency vehicle 10 andthe power and control wires may be plugged into the vehicle's EV systemwith a single connection, enabling an operator of an emergency vehicle10 to have control over the operation of the bumper accessory 12 as soonas the plug-in connection is made. Alternatively, the wires may bedirectly hardwired to the system without a plug. In this way, theelectronics for a bumper accessory 12 is a modular unit that may beinstalled via a single connection cable 37 or at a single access point.For example, as shown in FIG. 3, the accessory control unit 18 may havethree wires leaving the unit for connection into a vehicle's EV system.The power input wire 31, ground wire 33, and network connection wire 35are contained within a connection cable 37 for protection andorganization of the wiring system. The connection cable 37 ends at aconnection cable head 39. The connection cable head 39 may contain threemale plugs 41, 43, 45, allowing a single plug-in unit to connect allthree wires to the EV system within the emergency vehicle 10. As shown,the power input plug 41 may allow for the power input wire 31 to connectto the vehicle's EV system. The ground wire 33 connects via the poweroutput plug 43, and the network connection wire 35 connects via thenetwork connection plug 45.

The connection cable 37 may be made of any flexible, water resistant,and tough material. The flexibility would allow the connection cable 37to wind around parts of an emergency vehicle 10 to connect to the EVsystem. The material may be a rubber, plastic, metal, or any othermaterial capable of protecting the internal wires from the harshenvironment existent in, around, or under an emergency vehicle 10. Theconnection cable 37 should be able to resist the elements of weatherincluding rain, flood, snow, ice, or cold and the elements of anemergency vehicle's system including heat. The material should be toughenough to be protected against elements of the road including rocks,salt, metal, or gravel that may strike the connection cable 37. Theconnection cable 37 may be of any length necessary to connect the bumperaccessory 12 to the vehicle's EV and network system depending on theparticular emergency vehicle 10.

While shown with a three-head, male-prong coupling system, theconnection cable head 39 may use any type of electrical coupling systemused for securing electrical connections. For example, the couplingsystem may include a female coupling head attached at the end of theconnection cable 37 for accepting three or four prongs at an EV andnetwork connection socket. In other embodiments, both an EV and networkcontroller and the bumper accessory 12 may have hardwired connectionswithout a plug-in connector.

FIG. 4 is a top, transparent view of an emergency vehicle showing theemergency vehicle accessories electrically connected to a modularnetworked control system. All of the emergency vehicle lights and otheremergency vehicle functional warning units may be connected to a modularnetworked control system 110 and controlled in part by a user-interfaceon a control panel 132, preferably located at or near the console of theemergency vehicle 112. Alternatively, the control panel 132 may beimplemented by a smart phone or tablet—either wired or wirelessly. Anydevice capable of providing a human-machine interface (HMI) may be usedas the control panel 132 depending upon the particular implementation.Other devices for providing HMI may include a purpose-built touch paneldevice specifically for emergency vehicles or a multi-button consolecontrol head.

Other inputs relating an aspect of the state of the vehicle are notrelated to a dedicated user interface. For example, discrete inputsinclude, but are not limited to, the brake pedal, the state of thetransmission such as reverse or park, turn signals, bright lightindicators, the state of the door, such as in an open or close state,the state of the hatch, such as in an open or close state, the vehiclespeed, engine data, etc. It is contemplated that each remote controllerincluding the accessory control unit may be implemented and may includeone or more inputs, one or more outputs or combinations thereof. Forexample, the remote controller may include, but not be limited to, 20inputs. The remote controller can include an electronics housingcommensurate with the operating environment in which it is located. Forexample, the remote controller may include a sealed housing though inother implementations, an unsealed housing is used.

To control and coordinate the emergency vehicle accessories, a modularnetworked control system 110 further may be integrated into theemergency vehicle 112. A modular networked control system 110 mayfurther include a central controller 120 communicatively coupled to oneor more remote controllers 122 via a network connection. As shown inFIG. 4, the network connection may preferably be a Local InterconnectNetwork (LIN) 124. Other networks may be implemented, for example, aController Area Network (CAN) or a wireless local area network (WLAN).

The LIN 124 is a broadcast serial network connecting a single masternode with one or more slave nodes. All messages on the LIN 124 areinitiated by the master node with a single slave node or multiple slavenodes replying to a given transmitted message. Communications across theLIN 124 may be carried at a 19.2 kbits/s data rate though other datarates may be implemented. The master and slave nodes are typicallyimplemented as a microcontroller but may alternatively be implemented asapplication-specific integrated circuits (ASICs).

Integrated into the central controller 120, the master node of the LIN124 initiates communications with the slave nodes that are integratedinto each remote controller 122. The network topology, or organizationalhierarchy of the interconnected nodes on the LIN 124, may be any networkthat enables communications between the central controller 120 and theremote controllers 122. In one implementation, the network topology is astar network where all the slave nodes in the remote controllers 122 aredirectly connected to the master node in the central controller 120.However, other network topologies such as a tree topology may beimplemented to allow for remote controllers 122 to be daisy-chained suchthat some of the slave nodes of the remote controllers 122 arecommunicatively coupled to the central controller 120 through the slavenodes of other remote controllers 122.

The emergency vehicle functional warning units controlled by the modularnetworked control system 110 may be connected to the outputs of eitherthe central controller 120 or any of the remote controllers 122.Functional warning units such as the lightbar 126, siren 128 and horn130 may preferably be directly connected to the central controller 120whereas the directional light 134 or the headlight flashers 138 may bedirectly connected to one of the remote controllers 122. Theinteroperability provided by the modular networked control system 110enables emergency vehicle functional warning units to be connected tothe controller deemed most accessible. This system enables short cablelengths to the controlled emergency vehicle functional warning units toboost drive intensity, simplify and speed installation, and reduceharness weight and cost.

The emergency vehicle functional warning units operably controlled bythe modular networked control system 110 may not be limited to visualand audible warning devices. For example, a gun rack 136 may beselectively locked and unlocked by a solenoid connected to either thecentral controller 120 or a remote controller 122. Any 12-volt accessorysocket 144 or device may be operably controlled in the same manner;energized or de-energized according to an output of either the centralcontroller 120 or a remote controller 122.

Regardless of the particular network topology of the LIN 124, theconfiguration of the central controller 120 and the remote controllers122 on the LIN 124 asserts a modular design whereby additional remotecontrollers 122 may be plugged into the network without reconfigurationof previously installed elements of the networked system, particularlythe central controller 120. Installation of additional remotecontrollers 122 requires a single power connection to be run from apower source to the additional remote controller 122. Additionalemergency vehicle functional warning units may be connected to theadditional remote controller 122 without an additional wiring harnessbeing run back to the central controller 124. In one aspect of theinvention, the ready addition of new remote controllers 122 and theability to plug into the networked system provides for a highly scalableimplementation.

The bumper accessory 158 mounted to the emergency vehicle 112 containsan accessory control unit 118 which is a remote controller integratedinto a functional warning unit. In addition to the bumper accessory 158,spotlights 135, a siren 130, a speaker 128, and headlights 138 areaccessories shown connected to a modular networked control system 110.In other embodiments, accessories other than or in addition to theaccessories shown may connect to the modular networked control system110. All connections are power connections in the EV system and networkconnections to the modular networked control system 110.

The modular networked control system 110 is connected to a vehicle powersource such as the car battery, alternator, generator, or EV system. Aconnection to the vehicle power source, in the preferred embodiment, ismade at a central controller 120 by a +12 Vdc connection and a chassisground connection. In other embodiments, a connection to the vehiclepower source may occur at other parts of the modular networked controlsystem 110 and may include multiple, separate power connections.

The modular networked control system 110 is formed by a series ofconnections, controllers, and control units and enables the control andcoordination of the active visual and audible devices and the bumperaccessory 158 as well as any other accessories on the emergency vehicle112. In a preferred embodiment, the modular networked control system 110includes a control panel 132, a central controller 120, optionally oneor more additional remote controllers 122, and an accessory control unit118. Other embodiments may include any number or combination of controlpanels 154, central controllers 150, remote controllers 152, controlunits, emergency vehicle accessories including the bumper accessory 158,or active visual or audible devices or lack thereof.

The modular networked control system 110 is interconnected by electricalconnections that generally enable “plug-and-play” accessibility. Theconnections may include a single plug-in connection but a directhardwired connection may be implemented in making connections betweenthe different network devices. Accessories such as the spotlights 135may preferably be directly connected to the central controller 120whereas the headlights 138 or the bumper accessory 158 may be directlyconnected to one of the remote controllers 122. The interoperabilityprovided by the modular networked control system 110 enables emergencyvehicle accessory devices to be connected to the controller deemed mostaccessible. The central controller 110 and each remote controller 122will preferably contain at least ten connection sockets for installingmultiple emergency vehicle accessories or additional controllers, butmay contain any number or type of connections in other embodiments.

The bumper accessory 158 contains an accessory control unit 118. Withreference to both FIGS. 3 and 4, the accessory control unit 118 isconnected by a power input wire 31, a ground wire 33, and a networkconnection wire 35 contained within a connection cable 137. Theconnection cable 137 is coupled to the central controller 120. Theconnection provides power and a network interface allowing for immediatecontrol and operation of the bumper accessory 158. Alternatively or inaddition to the direct connection to the central controller 120, theconnection cable 137 may be coupled to a remote controller 122 via aconnection socket 157. At the connection socket 157, the connectioncable head 39 may be plugged into the remote controller 122 giving thebumper accessory 158 an instant connection to the EV system and themodular networked control system 110.

The modular networked control system 110 is controlled by ahuman-machine interface at a control panel 132 located preferably on ornear the console of the emergency vehicle 112, but may be locatedremotely. The human-machine interface at the control panel 132 may beimplemented in a mobile device such as a smart phone or tablet eitherwired or wirelessly. Other devices for providing human-machine interfacemay include a purpose-built touch-panel device specifically foremergency vehicles or a multi-button console control-head.

The modular networked control system 110 is interconnected by networkconnections preferably over the network described above as preferably aLIN. The LIN allows the central controller 120 to initiate communicationwith a remote controller 122 according to a communications protocoldefining the format and syntax of the data message as well as dataexchange rules between network nodes. One aspect of the modularnetworked control system 110 is that the central controller 120 can becommunicatively coupled to multiple remote controllers such as remotecontroller 122 and accessory control unit 118 by a common bus line. Inthis way, the common bus line for the accessory control unit 118 may bedirectly coupled to the central controller 120 or may pass through theremote controller 122.

The modular networked control system 110 may operate using a broadcastserial network connecting a single master node with one or more slavenodes. The master node may initiate the communications on the network orexternal elements in communicatively coupled to the network may initiatethe communications. For example, a siren 130 actuated to deliver anaudible signal may initiate network communications that may result inthe actuation or triggering of features or events on the bumperaccessory 158. All messages on the network are initiated by the masternode or a slave node with a single node or multiple nodes replying to agiven transmitted data message. The master node is preferably integratedinto the central controller 120 which initiates communications with aslave node integrated into the accessory control unit 118. In otherembodiments, the master node may be located in a different controllersuch as the control panel 132, and other slave nodes may be integratedinto remote controllers 122 or other emergency vehicle accessories.

The network topology may be any network that enables communicationsbetween the central controller 120 and the accessory control unit 118.In a preferred embodiment, the connections may operate as a bus networkfrom the control panel 132 to the active visual and audible devices. Inone embodiment, the network topology may be a star network topologywhere the bumper accessory 158 and other accessories are directlyconnected to the master node in the central controller 120. Anotherexample is a tree network topology to allow for remote controllers 122or accessories, including the bumper accessory 158, to be daisy-chainedtogether, such that some of the remote controllers 122 or accessoriesare communicatively coupled to the central controller 120 through otherremote controllers 122 or accessories.

In a preferred embodiment, the bumper accessory 158 may contain a singleconnection capable of being plugged into the modular networked controlsystem 110. For example, a central controller 120 may contain a numberof connective ports allowing for the bumper accessory 158 or otheraccessories to directly couple and communicate with the centralcontroller 120. Upon making the connection, the bumper accessory 158 isimmediately powered and operable as part of the modular networkedcontrol system 110.

Referring now to FIG. 5, a schematic view of the modular networkedcontrol system 224 is shown. In a preferred embodiment, a modularnetworked control system 224 contains network parts comprising userinput 260, a control panel 254, a central controller 250, an accessorycontrol unit 218, and active visual and audible devices 216 operableacross a bus network 262. Each network element is communicativelycoupled to its following network part respectively.

Other embodiments may include additional network parts or excludecertain network parts based upon the particular emergency vehicle. Themodular networked control system 224 is connected as a bus network 262or other network topology. Any combination of some, all, multiple, oradditional network parts may embody the modular networked control system224.

The operator of the emergency vehicle, or a passenger, preferably entersthe user input 260 through a control panel 254 located within thevehicle. The control panel 254 is any device capable of receiving userinput 260 by human-machine interface and is communicatively connected tothe modular networked control system 224. In another embodiment, userinput 260 may be entered at a remote location where the control panel254 and modular networked control system 224 have wireless capabilities.

The data message sent from the control panel 254 determined by userinput 260 is sent to the central controller 250. The central controller250 then creates the state of the active visual and audible devices 216located on the accessory. The state created is sent in a data message toa remote controller 252 if one is implemented into the modular networkedcontrol system 224, or may reach the accessory control unit 218 ifconnected directly to a central controller 50 over the bus network 62.In one preferred implementation, a remote controller 252 is notintegrated into the system such that the central controller 250 isdirectly coupled to the accessory control unit 218 by at least a singleserial data wire.

Regardless of the embodiment or network topology of the modularnetworked control system 224, the data message containing the state ofthe active visual and audible devices 216 will be received by theaccessory control unit 218 through the network connection via aconnection cable. The accessory control unit 218 interprets the datamessage and instructs the active visual and audible devices 216 tooperate according to the state of the emergency vehicle as determined ata central controller 250.

User input 260 may operate an externally mounted switch, antenna, plugor button panel 220 physically attached to the accessory outside of theemergency vehicle. The activation of the an externally mounted switch,antenna, plug or button panel 220 may instruct the accessory controlunit 218 to begin operating the active visual and audible devices 216.In another embodiment an externally mounted switch, antenna, plug,button panel, or discrete vehicle state sensing device 220 may operatethe active visual and audible devices 216 directly and may determine thestate at which they operate. In another embodiment, the externallymounted switch includes a sensor for sensing a state of the vehicle orits environment and automatically communicating the state via theaccessory control unit to the central controller. For example, anaccelerometer positioned on the bumper accessory may sense a collision,whereby the central controller may set a desired state of the vehicle'svisual and audible devices in response to the emergency event.

Referring now to FIG. 6, the method of communicating the desired stateof the emergency vehicle functional warning units 300 from the centralcontroller to the remote controllers by the communication protocolaccording to the present invention will now be described. At the startof each data frame at step 310, the central controller may generate thedesired state of the emergency vehicle functional warning unitsconnected to the central controller by way of the LIN. The centralcontroller may then encode at step 320 the desired state of theemergency vehicle functional warning units; that is, ON/OFF orpowered/not powered, or as a pulse-width modulated signal, into the datapayload of the packet as will be described below. The encoding of thedesired state may be a bitmapped representation where each emergencyvehicle functional warning unit's state will be assigned a 0 or 1. Thenat step 330, the central controller may transmit the packet over the LINto the remote controllers. At step 340, each of the remote controllersmay receive the packet and, generally, parse the packet and, moreparticularly, parse the bitmap representation of the desired state ofthe emergency vehicle functional warning units under the control of theremote controller. A target remote controller may generate and send aresponse packet including an acknowledgement to the central controllerover the LIN at step 350. Then, at step 360, the remote controllers mayset the current state of the emergency vehicle functional warning unitsbased on the desired state encoded in the parsed bitmap. At 370, theresponse packet may be sent from the target remote controller andreceived by the central controller designating the completion of thecurrent data frame and the beginning of the next data frame where theprocess may be repeated.

Each data packet formed according to the communications protocol mayconsist of a first byte that encodes the length of the packet in bytes,a second byte that encodes the target of the packet and the type of dataencoded in the payload. The next sequence of bytes may encode thepayload or actual data encoded in the packet. The last two bytes of thepacket may encode a cyclic redundancy check (CRC). The CRC is awell-known error-detecting code used in digital networks to detectaccidental changes to raw data and need not be described in more detailhere.

Table 1 presents a tabular description of the structure of first byte ofthe communications protocol. The first byte may encode the length of thepacket in bytes.

TABLE 1 Packet Length Bit 7 Bit 6 Bit 5 Bit 4 Bit 3 Bit 2 Bit 1 Bit 0Encodes the total number of bytes in the packet

Table 2 presents a tabular description of the structure of the secondbyte of the communications protocol. The target bit may be set toindicate the packet is being sent from the central controller to one ofthe remote controllers or being sent from one of the remote controllersto the central controller. The module identifier in the final three bitsmay encode which remote controller is transmitting or being targeted.The type or function of the data encoded in the payload may be describedby the three function bits of the packet header.

TABLE 2 Packet Header Bit 7 Bit 6 Bit 5 Bit 4 Bit 3 Bit 2 Bit 1 Bit 0Target Function Module Identifier

Table 3 presents a tabular description of the packet structure of thecommunications protocol of the present invention. As described above,the packet encodes the length of the packet in bytes, the target andfunction of the packet, the data payload for the encoded function in avariable number of bytes and the CRC for detecting errors in thetransmitted packet.

TABLE 3 Packet Length Packet Header Payload CRC 1 byte 1 byte Variablebytes 2 bytes

One encoded function indicates the data payload is the output enabledstate of every emergency vehicle functional warning unit connected tothe modular networked signaling system. The data payload maps a singlebit representative of a desired ON/OFF state for each emergency vehiclefunctional warning unit. In this way, a single output packet encodes thedesired state of every emergency vehicle functional warning unitconnected to the networked signaling system in a bitmap. For a networkwith five remote controllers where each remote controller is coupled toten emergency vehicle functional warning units, information for all 50outputs is encoded in less than seven bytes of data. Further, all of theremote controllers may update the current state of each emergencyvehicle functional warning unit based on that data. Therefore, allsystem outputs may update at approximately the refresh rate of the dataframe of the communications protocol. With a preferred implementation,the signaling system may update at approximately a rate of once every 10ms. However, the refresh rate may ideally be selected to achieve thefastest output update rate and lowest input latency.

As described above, the target remote controller may send a responsepacket to the central controller over the LIN in the data frame. Theresponse packet may act as an acknowledgment of the data packet sent bythe central controller. The data payload of the response packet mayencode the current state of additional system inputs that are directlyconnected to the target remote controller. The state of the additionalinputs may be encoded as one of many possible states. For example, ananalog voltage level of an additional input may be digitized and encodedinto the data payload of the response packet. In this way, theadditional inputs connected to each remote controller may be discretizedand subject to digital signal processing techniques including, but notlimited to, digital filtering. Other processing techniques including theuse of programmable thresholds may be used to process the encodedsignals indicative of the state of the additional inputs.

Additionally, the data payload of the response packet may encode faultsdetected on any of the emergency vehicle functional warning unitsdirectly connected to the target remote controller. Other ancillary datamay be transmitted back to the central controller in the data payload ofthe response packet. For example, the temperature of the remotecontroller may be sensed and then encoded into the data payload of theresponse packet. Any number of operational characteristics of the remotecontrollers, the emergency vehicle functional warning units or even theemergency vehicle may be sensed and then encoded into the data payloadof the response packet.

By bitmap encoding the desired state of every emergency vehiclefunctional warning unit on the modular networked control system, thecentral controller may synchronize all of the devices, particularly thevisual and audible warning devices such as the lightbar, siren andperimeter lighting to establish any coordinated signaling patterndesired or required for the particular emergency vehicle. In this way,flash patterns for each lighting device may be encoded into the centralcontroller and may be easily reconfigurable. New patterns may beuploaded into the central controller to adapt to flashing patternrequirements that may differ across regions.

Referring now to FIG. 7, a method 400 of communicating the state of theemergency vehicle from a central controller to the accessory controlunit by the communication protocol according to the present inventionwill now be described. At step 470, input through human-machineinterface or other input source at a control panel determines the stateof the emergency vehicle. The control panel sends a data message to thecentral controller with the designated state of the emergency vehicle.The central controller receives the data message.

At step 472, the central controller generates the state of the accessoryand the active visual and audible devices on the accessory based uponthe user designated state of the emergency vehicle. At step 474, thecentral controller encodes the state of the accessory and the activevisual and audible devices into the data payload of a packet. Theencoded state in the packet may be a bitmap representation of theinstructions each active visual and audible device is assigned.

At step 476, the central controller transmits the packet over thenetwork to the accessory control unit. The network may include sendingthe packet through remote controllers or other control units dependingon the network topology of the modular networked control system.

At step 478, the accessory control unit receives the packet and parsesthe data representation. At step 482, a response packet may be sent fromthe accessory control unit to the central controller designating thecompletion of the current data frame and the beginning of the next dataframe. At step 480, the accessory control unit sets the state of theactive visual and audible devices based on the state of the emergencyvehicle encoded in the parsed bitmap.

Other embodiments are dependent upon the network parts in the particularmodular networked control system or the network topology implemented inthe emergency vehicle. A packet containing a data payload may betransferred among a number of network parts, until the network partgoverning active visual and audible devices is reached. When theparticular governing network part is reached, it receives the packet andparses the data representing the state of the active visual or audibledevices. The data may be encoded in one or more of many formats used forpacketized digital data transmission. For example, the data structuremay include bitmap encoding, dedicated byte values or encrypted datathat encodes the message therein. The data-receiving network part mayalso be responsible for sending a response packet in step 482 over thenetwork to an originating network part.

This invention is beneficial because it enables owners and operators ofemergency vehicles to install one or more accessories with a simpleconnection to an EV system and modular networked control system.Installation is hastened while wiring and harness weight is reduced.Whereas common accessory devices each require their own set of one ormore wiring harnesses for each alert device integrated into theaccessory, each functional warning unit as described above that includesmore than one audible or visual alert device reduces the necessarywiring by a one-to-many relationship. That is, the functional warningunit is connected to the networked system by way of, for example, asingle networked data line or a data line and power lines. A functionalconnection is provided between each alert device on the functionalwarning unit and the remote controller instead of from each alert deviceto a controller located remotely from the accessory.

Control of the accessory is simplified by the “plug-and-play” operationstyle of the modular networked control system. That is, the functionalwarning units need only to be connected to the networked control systemin order to be configured to work on said system.

Throughout this application, a functional warning unit is oftendescribed by way of an example accessory in the form of a bumper unitattached to a police cruiser. Those having skill in the art willappreciate that there are various functional warning units attachable tovarious vehicles by which the functional warning units provide thevisual and audible alerts described herein. Hence, functional warningunits to provide such alerts can include alert devices such as, but notlimited to lights, lightbars, sirens, horns, speakers, strobes,headlights, taillights, directional lighting, spotlights, etc. Otheractive visual and audible alert devices may be implemented depending onthe specific requirements of the particular emergency vehicle caninclude public address systems, air horns and load lights. Whiledescribed above in the context of an emergency vehicle such as a policecruiser, ambulance, fire truck etc., embodiments of the invention areapplicable without limitation to other vehicles including, but notlimited to, construction equipment including dump trucks and cementmixers, tractor-trailers, waste collection vehicles, fleet maintenancevehicles, etc.

Additionally, it is contemplated that the functional warning units mayalso include devices with auxiliary functionality. That is, functionalwarning units may include auxiliary devices that sense or respond totheir environment, state of the vehicle and user inputs to perform tasksthat are not limited to audible and visual alerts. For example, a fleetmaintenance vehicle equipped with a modular networked control system asdescribed above can include a functional warning unit in the form of alocker for storage of tools whereby the function of the locker is topresent tools to operators of the vehicle. The locker may include anauxiliary device that may include a load sensor or accelerometer todetect when an operator is in a seat of the vehicle. By coupling to thevehicle control system, the locker includes feedback relating the stateof the vehicle (i.e. the presence or absence of an operator of thevehicle) and can lock or unlock the locker based on the sensed state.

In another example, a waste collection vehicle equipped with a modularnetworked control system as described above may include a functionalwarning unit in the form of a claw for picking up waste bins. The clawmay include an auxiliary device that may include a sensor to detect whena waste bin is properly aligned with the claw. By coupling to thevehicle control system, the claw includes a feedback to the centralcontroller relating to the presence of the waste bin and in response tothe sensed presence, the claw may engage and actuate to empty the wastebin's contents into the waste collection vehicle.

While the invention has been specifically described in connection withcertain specific embodiments thereof, it is to be understood that thisis by way of illustration and not of limitation. Reasonable variationand modification are possible within the scope of the forgoingdisclosure and drawings without departing from the spirit of theinvention. It will be understood that “a set” can include any number ofthe respectively described elements, including only one element.

What is claimed is:
 1. A vehicle control system for use in a vehiclecomprising: at least one functional warning unit adapted to be mountedin the vehicle, each functional warning unit having a set of auxiliarydevices, connector and a remote controller configured to control adesired state of the respective auxiliary device; a central controllerconfigured to sense a state of the vehicle and generate a desired stateof the functional warning units based at least partially on the sensedstate of the vehicle or user input and encode the desired state into anencoded packet; a functional connection between the central controllerand the at least one functional warning unit and configured to transmitthe encoded packet from the central controller to each of the at leastone functional warning unit; wherein the central controller isconfigured to parse the desired state of the respective auxiliary devicein the encoded packet and set the state of the respective auxiliarydevice based on the parsed encoded packet, and wherein the cumulativenumber of at least one functional connections is greater then cumulativenumber of connections from the central controller to the remotecontroller.
 2. A functional warning unit comprising: a set of alertdevices, each alert device having at least one functional connection; aremote controller, connected to the set of alert devices and configuredto receive an encoded message on a single data line from a centralcontroller, and configured to decode the encoded message to a set ofdesired states for each of the set of alert devices; wherein the remotecontroller is configured to control the set of alert devices, by way ofthe at least one functional connection, according to the respectivedesired state of each of the set of alert devices, and wherein thecumulative number of at least one functional connections is greater thancumulative number of connections from the central controller to theremote controller.
 3. The vehicle control system of claim 1 wherein theremote controller in setting of the state includes configuring the atleast one functional warning unit to power or not power the at least oneof an audio or visual alert devices.
 4. The vehicle control system ofclaim 3 wherein the remote controller in configuring the at least onefunctional warning unit to power or not power the at least one of anaudio or visual alert devices is configured to generate visual patternswherein the patterns include one of revolving, oscillating, strobing,alternating, flashing, modulating, or pulsating light.
 5. The vehiclecontrol system of claim 4 wherein the generated visual pattern forms oneof an arrow, a symbol or a reverse character.
 6. The vehicle controlsystem of claim 1 wherein the at least one functional warning unitfurther includes a user input device and a sensor for sensing the stateof a user input.
 7. The vehicle control system of claim 6 wherein thefunctional warning unit further includes a sensor and the state of thevehicle includes the state of the sensor.
 8. The vehicle control systemof claim 6 wherein the central controller is configured to receive thestate of the vehicle from the at least one functional warning unit. 9.The vehicle control system of claim 8 wherein the remote controller isfurther configured to generate encoded packets to be transmitted on thefunctional connection.
 10. The vehicle control system of claim 9 whereinthe central controller is further configured to generate a desired stateof the at least one functional warning units further based at leastpartially on the state of the user input.
 11. The vehicle control systemof claim 1 wherein the functional connection further comprises acommunications bus.
 12. The vehicle control system of claim 11 whereinthe connector of the at least one functional warning unit furthercomprises a plug and play connector connecting the at least onefunctional warning unit with the communications bus.
 13. The functionalwarning unit of claim 2 wherein functional connection further includes apower connection.
 14. The functional warning unit of claim 2 wherein thefunctional warning unit is one of a bumper, a traffic arrow or alightbar.
 15. The functional warning unit of claim 2 further including aplug and play connector to connect the single data line from the centralcontroller to the remote controller.
 16. The functional warning unit ofclaim 15 wherein the plug and play connector is positioned proximate tothe functional warning unit.
 17. The functional warning unit of claim 16wherein the set of alert devices includes at least one of a light, alightbar, a siren, a horn, a speaker, a strobe, a headlight, ataillight, a directional light, a spotlight, a public address system, anair horn or a load light.